A resolution recognizing the 75th anniversary of United Spinal Association, a leading national advocacy organization that is dedicated to promoting the independence and enhancing the quality of life of all people living with spinal cord injuries and neurological disorders, including veterans, and providing support and information to their loved ones, care providers, and personal support networks.

III 117TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. RES. 278 Recognizing the 75th anniversary of United Spinal Association, a leading national advocacy organization that is dedicated to promoting the inde- pendence and enhancing the quality of life of all people living with spinal cord injuries and neurological disorders, including veterans, and providing support and information to their loved ones, care providers, and personal support networks. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES JUNE 17, 2021 Mr. CASEY (for himself and Mr. MORAN) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Recognizing the 75th anniversary of United Spinal Associa- tion, a leading national advocacy organization that is dedicated to promoting the independence and enhancing the quality of life of all people living with spinal cord injuries and neurological disorders, including veterans, and providing support and information to their loved ones, care providers, and personal support networks. Whereas, in 1946, a group of returning veterans from World War II in New York, New York, formed the organization now known as United Spinal Association to address the needs of paralyzed veterans; VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:51 Jun 18, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR278.ATS SR278 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS 2 •SRES 278 ATS Whereas, in 1948, members of this organization advocated for and secured the first accessible housing bill in the United States (the Act of June 19, 1948 (62 Stat. 500; Public Law 80–702)), which provided Federal funds for the building of accessible homes for paralyzed veterans; Whereas, in 1968, members of this organization advocated for the passage of the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.), which guarantees equal access to federally funded buildings and facilities for wheelchair users and all people of the United States with disabilities; Whereas, in 1970, James J. Peters, who would later lead United Spinal Association, exposed the deplorable condi- tions that paralyzed Vietnam veterans faced at the Bronx Veterans Administration Hospital with an article in LIFE magazine, leading the Veterans Administration to establish a national spinal cord injury service office to ad- dress the needs of paralyzed veterans and the renovation of the Bronx Veterans Administration Hospital, which was later named for Peters; Whereas, in 1985, New York City settled a lawsuit initiated by United Spinal Association, agreeing to make all city buses, key subway stations and commuter rail stations, and all new transit stations accessible to wheelchair users, and New York City established a paratransit sys- tem for people unable to use mass transit, leading to a model that would be incorporated as part of the transpor- tation provisions of the landmark Americans with Dis- abilities Act (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.); Whereas, regardless of a person’s level of abilities, United Spinal Association seeks to build an inclusive world that— VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:51 Jun 18, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR278.ATS SR278 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS 3 •SRES 278 ATS (1) removes barriers, particularly for wheelchair users; (2) embraces the talents of all people with disabil- ities to achieve their full potential; and (3) provides people with disabilities equal opportuni- ties to pursue their interests and dreams; Whereas United Spinal Association continues to support and advocate on behalf of more than 2,000,000 people in the United States living with spinal cord injuries or neuro- logical disorders, as well as veterans, through— (1) proven programs and services, and nurturing in- novative self-reliance, advocacy, and leadership; (2) empowering its members, their loved ones, care providers, and stakeholders with resources, one-on-one assistance, and peer support; (3) promoting independence through employment op- portunities and inclusion into mainstream society; and (4) advocating for greater disability rights, including access to health care, rehabilitation, mobility equipment, transportation, community services, and the built envi- ronment; and Whereas the legacy of James J. Peters, who once described the straightforward strategy in advocating for people in the United States with disabilities as simply refusing to accept no for an answer, is alive and well throughout United Spinal Association: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— 1 (1) recognizes that throughout 75 years of serv- 2 ice, United Spinal Association has made significant 3 contributions to the lives of people in the United 4 States with disabilities, including veterans; 5 VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:51 Jun 18, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR278.ATS SR278 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS 4 •SRES 278 ATS (2) honors United Spinal Association for its 1 continued role in supporting and advocating for peo- 2 ple with spinal cord injuries and neurological dis- 3 orders, as well as all veterans; and 4 (3) commemorates 2021 as the 75th anniver- 5 sary of the founding of United Spinal Association. 6 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:51 Jun 18, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR278.ATS SR278 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS